Over 7,000 pounds of invasive carp shot in 4th Annual Rosiclare Fire Department Bowfishing Tournament
Ryan Devine, Sawyer York and Travis Spiceland of team Descalin’ took the 1st place prize of $1,000 weighing in with 421.4 pounds of carp. This is the third year in a row DESCALIN’ won 1st place. — Jennifer Lane photos
Tyler Maikranz, James Bullock, Michael Small and Tyler Fieth of team OUT CLUBBIN’ won the 2nd place prize of $500 weighing in with 350.85 pounds of carp. OUT CLUBBIN’ also won the Little Fish award weighing in at 3.15 pounds.
Gunner Hagan, Mickey Morse, David Waddel, and Brady Wright of NOCK DEEP won the biggest fish weighing in at 51.10 pounds. Their team was awarded $625.
Ben Owen, Noah Brewer, and Dustin Morgan of NEXT GENERATION won 3rd place weighing in with 309.55 pounds of carp.
By Jennifer Lane
Editor
Volunteers of the Rosiclare Fire Department held the 4th Annual Big 15 Bowfishing tournament which started on the Ohio riverfront at the Rosiclare Park and Campground Saturday, August 15 and overnight into Sunday, August 16. In addition to bowfishermen from Illinois, others traveled from five additional states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana for the competition. Each team had a goal to bring in the most weight of their top 15 carp shot and to shoot the biggest fish.
Rosiclare Fire Department volunteers David Burton and Calvin Winters have years of experience with bowfishing serving as Cajun Bowfishing pro/field staff and shooting in other tournaments with their friend Mitchell Conkle as the Hickstown HeadHunters. They were the ones who initiated this ever-growing tournament four years ago as a fund raiser for the Rosiclare Fire & Rescue.
At sign up Saturday night, 27 teams of fishermen reported for the tournament. Some trailered their boats while others navigated by the Ohio River. Door prizes donated by several businesses were awarded to participants. At 7 p.m. the bow fishermen were signaled to start the tournament. They set off and scattered to various locations to drop their boats in the Ohio River to battle the invasive carp.
Bighead carp can commonly weigh around 40 pounds, but have been recorded higher. Silver carp weigh about 20 pounds and are capable of jumping great heights out of the water, potentially injuring recreational boaters and anglers. Some bowfishermen shot alligator gar.
Out of 27 teams, 24 reported back for weigh in by 7 a.m. Sunday morning. The others missed out on the delicious donuts provided by the Rosiclare Fire Department purchased from Bob’s Food Market.
Some bowfishermen said it was not a great night for shooting and less big heads were shot, but 4,808.4 pounds of carp were weighed in the next morning. All carp shot, including the 2,307.6 pounds not eligible for weigh in, were disposed of by Aquatic Protein, LLC of Eddyville, KY. The fish may be used in the production variety of items like dog and cat food, fertilizer and fish oils. Danielle Demello, owner of Aquatic Protien, LLC, learned that some of the team members were raising funds for the Dustin Winters Memorial Scholarship, so she donated over $560 to that cause.
Total pounds of carp shot by type:
Silver: 2,732 pounds
Bighead: 3,375 pounds
Gar: 1,009 pounds
Grand Total: 7,116 pounds
– winners –
Ryan Devine, Tyler Devine, Sawyer York and Travis Spiceland of team Descalin’ took the 1st place prize of $1,000 weighing in with 421.4 pounds of carp. This is the third year in a row DESCALIN’ won 1st place.
Tyler Maikranz, James Bullock, Michael Small and Tyler Fieth of team OUT CLUBBIN’ won the 2nd place prize of $500 weighing in with 350.85 pounds of carp. OUT CLUBBIN’ also won the Little Fish award weighing in at 3.15 pounds. Legence Bank donated $50 for this award.
Ben Owen, Noah Brewer, and Dustin Morgan of NEXT GENERATION won 3rd place weighing in with 309.55 pounds of carp. They won a food/drink cooler donated by the Hickstown Headhunters.
Gunner Hagan, Mickey Morse, David Waddel, and Brady Wright of NOCK DEEP won the biggest fish weighing in at 51.10 pounds. Their team was awarded $625.
Funds raised from this event benefit the Rosiclare Fire Department to help with equipment and training. Not only did the tournament help contribute to the Rosiclare Fire Department, but it was a great economical boost for the night, with bowfisherman using Hardin County businesses for last minute supplies.
Official results/placement
of all teams:
1. Descalin’ 421.40 lbs.
2. Out Clubbin’ 350.85 lbs.
3. Next Generation 309.55 lbs.
4. Nock Deep 301.25 lbs.
5. Kock Um Up 271.30 lbs.
6. Mad Chaos Bowfishing 243.30 lbs.
7. Nocked Up 208.05 lbs.
8. Wigglin’ Nock 194.05 lbs.
9. Overnight Addiction 190.40 lbs.
10. Scumbagz 189.30 lbs.
11. Team Night Stalker 178.40 lbs.
12. Scooter Special 178.15 lbs.
13. Lights Out 176.10 lbs.
14. Red Beard Bowfishing 166.10 lbs.
15. Krytonight 162.05 lbs.
16. S.I. Flinging Fools 152.05 lbs.
17. Rough Day Outdoors 150.70 lbs.
18. The Outback Gang 150.30 lbs.
19. Team T 145.10 lbs.
20. Faith & Fins 138.85 lbs.
21. Kentucky Shaft Senders 136.70 lbs.
22. Forced Induction Outdoors 134.80 lbs.
23. Hitting’ Em From Behind 131.10 lbs.
24. Silver Fin Slammers 128.55
Did not come back to weigh in:
Carp Control 0.00 lbs.
Fish This 0.00 lbs.
On Track 0.00 lbs.
For information about next year’s tournament, call Rosiclare Volunteer Fireman David Burton at 618-518-9501 or visit the Rosiclare Fire Department facebook page.
See more photos from this event on the Hardin County Independent facebook page.
